The Colorado Rapids are in Albuquerque, New Mexico to face Mexico's Santos Laguna on Friday in a friendly match at University Stadium on the campus of the University of New Mexico (7:30 p.m. MT kickoff). The match will not be broadcast or streamed online, but fans can follow our live tweets from the stadium below:

The team's 2012 team MVP, goalkeeper Matt Pickens, is expected to start his first match since breaking bones in his forearm in a match against Real Salt Lake on March 16.

2012 Golden Boot winner Jaime Castrillon, who recently returned from knee surgery, is also expected to see plenty of time as he continues improving his fitness and form.

Midfielder Jamie Smith, who scored the team's first goal of the season, could also see action for the first time since injuring his groin in his last start on April 28.

Of the group that traveled, only Brian Mullan, Marvell Wynne, and Stew Ceus played for the Rapids in the 2011 matches against Santos, with Mullan scoring a goal in the first match after coming in off the bench.

For Santos, this is their last preseason match before the start of the Apertura season. Last Saturday's scheduled preseason match against Atlas was cancelled at the last minute after the Guadalajara-based team did not travel to Torreon, according to Santos.

On Wednesday, July 11, Santos defeated Monterrey 2-0 in Torreon in a preseason match with goals from Oribe Peralta and a free kick from Alonso Escoboza.

In 2011, Sanchez and Rodriguez started the first match against Colorado, while Peralta, Quintero, and Escoboza each scored.

Santos' head coach Pedro Caixinha said this after the last preseason match to MedioTiempo.com:

“In my point of view during the first half we didn’t play well as a group due to some individuals… We are not satisfied with the process in the first half. The group’s attitude and will in the second half was notable.

It’s very positive to have defeated such a great team, it’s important and build confidence. But we should be aware that we need much more. We’ll try to improve the day after tomorrow against the Colorado Rapids with the same group we have faith in.”

On Friday, Santos announced that their Apertura season opener against Chivas - originally scheduled for July 21 in Guadalajara - has been re-scheduled for October 30 due to the number of players Chivas is missing while with Mexico's national team at the Gold Cup.